healthykids BE AFRAID, BE VERY AFRAID...
LEARN HOW TO AVOID THE REAL GOBLINS by Melinda Hemmelgarn
birth defects, autism, hyperactivity, diabe- tes, reduced fertility, obesity and cancer. It’s no wonder that the President’s Cancer Panel Report recommends choosing foods grown or produced without pesticides. Genetically Modified Foods: An esti-
frightening are the toxic chemicals lurking in our families’ food and water. Pregnant women, infants and chil-
O
dren are most vulnerable, because expect- ant, young and growing bodies are less able to break down and excrete toxins. Halloween screams for a list of valid fears, plus strategies to keep our families safe. Pesticides: According to Charles
Benbrook, Ph.D., chief scientist at the Boulder, Colorado-based Organic Center, more than 1 billion pounds of pesticides are used each year in the United States alone. More than half of the most widely applied pesticides are known endocrine disruptors, compounds that mimic natural hormones and interfere with normal development. At Beyond Pesticides’ annual meet-
ing last spring, Indianapolis-based neo- natologist Dr. Paul Winchester explained how pesticide exposure contributes to
38 Hartford County Edition
ur little ones, masquerading this month as ghosts and goblins, only look scary. What’s really
mated 70 percent of common processed foods lining supermarkets shelves, includ- ing Halloween candy, contain at least one genetically modified (GM) ingredient. Yet, genetically modified crops and foods (GMOs) have never been tested for long- term safety. Since the introduction of GM crops
13 years ago, Benbrook says pesticide use has increased by more than 300 million pounds. Because GM crops are designed to withstand pesticide spray, over time, weeds and pests naturally develop resistance, requiring more and stronger chemicals. Mercury Rising: Recent
U.S. Geological Survey research found mercury contamination in every fish sampled from 291 streams nationwide. More surprising, the Institute for Agricul- ture and Trade Policy (IATP) found mercury in assorted products con- taining high fructose corn
www.NaturallyHealthyCT.com
syrup, likely the result of the sweetener’s manufacturing process, says Renee Dufault, a former U.S. Food and Drug Administration health officer. David Wallinga, a medical doc-
tor and director of the Food and Health program at IATP, says mercury is a toxic, heavy metal that harms brain develop- ment; no exposure level is considered safe. Plastic Poisons: Like pesticides, plas-
tics can release endocrine disruptors such as bisphenol A (BPA) into food and water. Even more scary, “These compounds are biologically active at extremely low and previously undetected levels,” says University of Missouri biologist Frederick vom Saal. Food Dyes: The Center
for Science in the Public Interest reports that common food dyes can pose unnec- essary risks for cancer, hyperactivity and al- lergies. Each year, approximately 15 million pounds of synthetic food dyes are added to foods that are heav-
ily marketed to children. It’s frighten-
ing to think of our
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56